Use
light to moderate, even tension as you wrap the tail. Non‑slip rubberized
tail wraps really stay put but it is easy to apply them too tightly. If a tail
wrap is too tight or left on too long, it can cut off the circulation of the dock
and the tail hairs could fall out.

Always allow yourself more traveling
time than it seems is necessary. Don't use car‑driving times to estimate
how long it will take you to get somewhere. Know your route ahead of time. Pack
a detailed map and locate rest stops and places where you can get help along the
way. If you don't belong to a 24‑hour roadside assist program, consider
it if you do a lot of traveling.

Make all acceleration and deceleration gradual

Take curves at moderate speed

Use turn signals well in advance

Pit Stop!

Shortly
after you leave, stop for a trailer check. After the first check, plan to stop
at least every 2 hours for at least 15 minutes per stop. Give yourself a good
stretch as you walk around the rig and check on your horse.

Rig Check

Look at tires. Know what looks normal. If one looks low, check the tire pressure.

Feel tires and wheels. Know what is normal heat and how much heat means brake
problems.

Check the hitch, chains and breakaway cable.

Check all door latches.

Horse Check

If horse is wearing a sheet or blanket, slip your hand under it. If the horse
is wet, he is too hot or has broken into a nervous sweat. Depending on the situation,
you might change the blanket, unload the horse, or put a cooler on the horse to
help him dry gradually. Check and adjust vents.

Perform a pinch test to evaluate level of dehydration. Know what is normal for
your horse.

Offer the horse water with electrolytes.

If you suspect a problem, take the horse's temperature, pulse and respiration
and capillary refill time. Know what is normal for the horse.

Clean manure from the back of the trailer.

Check leg wraps and tail wraps.

Keep your horse on his regular feeding schedule.

In general, clean grass hay is the safest traveling ration but feed your horse
the type of hay he is accustomed to.

If you are going to travel over 400 miles or 8 hours, consider stopping for the night or at least unloading the horse for an hour of exercise or turnout.

If a horse is not urinating regularly on a long trip, you can encourage him to urinate en route by bedding the trailer stall deeply with sawdust. Be sure to remove urine soaked bedding to prevent irritation to the horse's respiratory tract from ammonia fumes. Some horses that are reluctant to urinate on board will readily urinate when unloaded along a grassy roadside or in a turnout pen.

TIRE
PRESSURE Tire pressure specifications are listed
on the sidewall of your tires and will likely be different for your truck and
trailer tires. For each type of tire you run, write the correct tire pressure
on a 3 x 5 card and keep it in your glove box along with a tire gauge.

ADJUSTING ELECTRIC TRAILER BRAKESWith the trailer empty, drive on
a gravel driveway or road. Stop the rig using only the manual controller for the
electric brakes. Refer to your brake controller's instruction manual to adjust
the brakes so the stop occurs without a lurch or skid.

PROTECTIONProperly applied leg wraps or shipping boots are
the best way to prevent serious injury to the coronary band, bulbs of the heels,
knees and hocks. In order to be effective, the thick padding should extend at
least to the midpoint of the hoof and should cover the knees and hocks.

Be
sure your horse is used to shipping boots, a tail wrap, a fly mask, a head bumper
and a traveling sheet before you load him in the trailer. You want to protect
him with these items, not add more stress or complications to his loading and
traveling.

DEHYDRATION PREVENTIONThe most common cause of dehydration
during travel is a horse going "off water." Horses detect differences
in the smell and taste of water and will sometimes refuse to drink water away
from home. Carry as much home water as you can such as in a tack room water caddy.
If you do not have a way to carry home water or if your home water supply runs
out, you can flavor the new water with a flavored electrolyte powder. Be sure
to accustom the horse to the electrolyte powder in his water at home for several
days before the trip.

The information
contained on this site is provided for general informational and educational purposes
only. The suggestions and guidelines should not be used as the sole answer
for a visitor's specific needs.